Boat-wheel



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(N0 Model.)

J. F. CUNNINGHAM.

BOAT WHEEL.

PatentQ U ITJVESSES I v Myra/ways.

(N0 Modem 2 sheets-$119M 2.

J.- F. CUNNINGHAM.

BOAT WHEEL.

No. 303,819. Patented Aug. 19, 1884.

i 1 i m W W'ITAESSES IAVEJVTO bolts or otherwise.

ihyrrnn Srarns ?ATENT @rric JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM, OF NHEELING, \VEST VIRG [Nil i.

BOAT-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 303,819, dated August 19, 18841.

Application filed May 9, 1884.

To 61% whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vheeling, in the county of Ohio and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boatd/Vheels, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in boat-wheels; and it has for its object to prevent the blades of propelling-wheels from lifting a body of water as they revolve.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and on which like letters of reference indicate the same or corresponding features, Figure 1 represents a. erosssectional view of the propelling-wheel of a vessel with my improved attachment applied thereto, and Fig. 2 a detached perspective view of my attachment with the propelling-wheel removed. 7

The letter A designates the shield attached to the rear portion of a stern-wheel steamer, the same being of the usual construction, which is used to prevent the drippings from the wheel from wetting the rear portion of the vessel.

Secured rigidly to the aft portion of the vessel are the bolsters B, which are provided near their outward extremities with bearings C, for the reception of the shaft of the propolling-wheel.

The letter D refers to the propelling-wheel of a vessel, and it consists of a shaft, E, fitting in bearings C at each end, and having radiating arms F, provided with blades G.

To the ends of the bolsters B are securely fastened, in any suitable manner, the brackei's I-I, preferably made of iron, and terminating at their free ends in the projections I, forming bearings for the reception of the water knife or board J, to which it is secured by This knife is made of wood or any suitable material, and is sufficiently strong to withstand the constantstrain of water forced against it, and it is somewhat longer than the blades of the propelling-wheel.

(No model.)

It will be observed that the brackets H are of such length as to allow the knife J to remain in a position slightly above the surface of the water, and to bring the knife just beyond the arc of a circle described by the rotation of the wheel, as indicated in dotted lines.

\Vhen the vessel is put in motion, the propelling-wheel travels in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the blades of the wheel in their passage through the water create a slight wave, as shown at K. The knife J is sufficiently above the water to just touch or clear this wave, and at the same time act as a means to cut off whatever water is lifted by the wheel, leaving the wheel during the rest of its rotation freeof any dead weight, thus of fecting a considerable saving of power, which may be utilized in the more rapid propulsion of the vessel, or rendering the vessel capable of traveling at the usual rate of speed with a diminution of power.

In order to overcome any difficulty which might arise by reason'of the knife becoming clogged with ice during the winter season, I run steampipes I along the brackets H and across the top of the knife, the heat from which serves to keep the knife clear from ice.

It is further to be observed that my inven. tion is equally applicable to side-wheel steamers, the slight alterations necessary to the dil ferent relative arrangement of parts being easily made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In aboat, the combination, with the propelling-wheel, of the knife situated in close proximity to the blades of the wheel and slightly above the level of the water, so as to cut oil the water raised by the said wheel.

2. In a boat, the combination, with the propelling-wheel, of the brackets secured to the shaft-supports, and a blade attached thereto, situated in the rear of and in close proximity to the propelling-wheel and slightly above the surface of the water, and adapted to cut off the water raised by said wheel.

3. In a boat, the combination, with the propelling-wheel, of the brackets secured to the shaft-supports, aknife attached to said brackets, and pipes connected with a stean1generator and to the brackets and running near the knife for preventing ice from collecting there on.

4. In a boat the combinatiomwith the blade for cutting off the water lifted by the boatpropelling wheel, of a pipe connected with a 10 t.

steam-generator and running along the knife, whereby said knife is kept clear of ice.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 7

JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM. Vithesses:

A. KELLY, L. T. BUSBEY. 

